Step 1: Identifying Potential PFAS Sources in the Valley City Area
Valley City’s water system, serving over 6,500 residents via surface water, may concern residents about exposure to PFAS, also called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or "forever chemicals." Common PFAS sources include firefighting foam, textile finishing, and landfills. In Barnes County, public water system records from Valley City do not indicate detected PFAS above reporting levels, suggesting these sources currently do not contribute measurable fluorinated compounds into the supply.
Step 2: Advances in UCMR5 Survey versus the Earlier UCMR3
The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule phase 5 (UCMR5) expands the range and sensitivity of PFAS detection compared to UCMR3. UCMR5 includes compounds such as HFPO-DA and PFHxS with lower reporting limits, enhancing detection accuracy. Valley City’s 2023-2025 UCMR5 sampling found no PFAS compounds above reporting limits, indicating improved survey comprehensiveness and confidence in these measurements for the local system.
Step 3: Seasonal and Multi-Year Variation in PFAS Monitoring Results
PFAS levels can fluctuate seasonally or across years. Valley City’s monitoring from January 2024 to March 2025 shows consistent non-detection across four sampling events. This stable pattern suggests limited temporal variation in detectable fluorinated compounds within the distribution system during this period, enabling residents to understand typical system conditions while recognizing personal testing is required for individual homes.
Step 4: Understanding the Hazard Index for Newer PFAS Compounds
While federal health-based maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) are established for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA, other PFAS compounds appear in monitoring data but currently lack MCLs. A hazard index assesses combined exposure risks without addressing specific health claims. Valley City’s UCMR5 results show no detections above reporting levels of these compounds, supporting the absence of measurable combined PFAS exposure in this water system at this time.
Step 5: Pathways of PFAS into Groundwater and Distribution in Barnes County
In Valley City, surface water sources are the supply origin, reducing direct groundwater PFAS intrusion compared to systems relying on wells. Potential pathways include surface runoff transport from landfills or atmospheric deposition from nearby industrial activities, though current data do not show detectable PFAS presence downstream in the distribution network.
Final Step: Testing Your Own Household’s Water and Choosing Equipment
Because system-wide data do not reveal PFAS above detection limits, household water tests are necessary to identify any personal exposure discrepancies due to plumbing or localized sources. Ordering a certified laboratory PFAS panel specifying PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and other monitored compounds will provide definitive individual results. Should measurable PFAS be found, the Pentair PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter ships ready to configure as an effective point-of-entry option, designed for removal of a broad range of fluorinated compounds to meet residential water treatment needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-03-12. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025) for VALLEY CITY CITY OF (ND0200958), ND: 40 results across 10 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level